Dumpster Diving

Dumpster diving refers to the act of searching through trash or discarded materials in order to find useful items that have been discarded by others. For example, someone who practices dumpster diving might look through the trash outside of a grocery store or a restaurant in order to find food that is still edible, or they might search through a construction site's dumpster to find materials that can be repurposed or recycled.

Here is an example of someone who engages in dumpster diving:

Sarah is a college student who lives on a tight budget. In order to save money on groceries, she often goes dumpster diving behind her local grocery store. She finds that there are often bags of produce, bread, and other items that have been thrown away due to being slightly bruised or past their expiration date, but which are still perfectly edible. Sarah is able to save a significant amount of money on her grocery bill by finding these items in the dumpster and using them to supplement her regular purchases. She also feels good about reducing waste by rescuing these items from the landfill.

The purpose of the essay "On Dumpster Diving" by Lars Eighner is to provide a first-person perspective on the experience of scavenging for food and other necessities in the trash, also known as "dumpster diving." The essay discusses the social and economic factors that have led Eighner to rely on dumpster diving as a means of survival, as well as the practical challenges and rewards of this unconventional lifestyle.

Throughout the essay, Eighner reflects on the stigma and prejudice faced by those who engage in dumpster diving, and challenges common misconceptions about the people who do it. He also provides insights into the ways in which dumpster diving can be an effective and sustainable source of food, as well as a means of finding valuable items that have been discarded.